Despard Gallery

03/06/2026

O N V I E W With our latest install all wrapped up, we are excited to open ‘Night Citrus’, the highly anticipated third solo exhibition by Tasmanian artist Maggie May Jeffries.
Unique to the creation of these new works has been a more intuitive painting process, described by Jeffries as ‘rewilding’. Here, compositions are allowed to evolve more naturally, Jeffries embracing the organic nature of painting. Jeffries defines the evolution of these paintings as living forms, with plants and memories continually layered over many months. These works don’t just reflect the beauty in the natural world and how it can be reimagined, it also represents an evolution in Jeffries’ practice, one that embraces the freedom of a more organic path, of autonomous growth and deeper connections.
Please join us for an Opening Event this Friday 5 June from 5:30 pm to congratulate Maggie on another standout body of work.
View the exhibition in full via our website now. Exhibition continues through to 27 June.

29/05/2026

S N E A K P E E K Despard Gallery is excited to present Night Citrus, the highly anticipated third solo exhibition by early career Tasmanian artist Maggie May Jeffries.
3 – 27 June 2026
Underpinning Jeffries’ new suite of botanical based paintings is an intimate observation of details found in our natural world. Through exquisitely layered surfaces, each work traces Jeffries’ personal fascination with plants and flowers, recalling the sensation of personal experience through a shared sense of wonder. Magnifying each subject many times their original size, reveals an intricate world of unseen beauty and the awe of childhood curiosity.
Maggie May Jeffries is an early career artist based in nipaluna/Hobart, lutruwita/Tasmania. Jeffries studied Fine Art and Psychology at the University of Tasmania, graduating with first class honours in 2022. Jeffries has completed artist residencies on King Island, Queenstown, Glover Country and Clifton Beach, as well as at the Rosamond McCulloch studio at the Cité des Arts Internationale, Paris. Jeffries received an artist fellowship in 2020 to visit Creative Growth, in California, USA. In 2024, she was selected as a finalist in the Women’s Art Prize, as well as being a studio resident at Contemporary Arts Tasmania. Jeffries’ practice also involves ongoing creative collaborations, including mentoring and community engagement as a member of Second Echo Ensemble.
Preview the exhibition and register you interest via our website now to receive a preview catalogue!
Opening event Friday 5 June form 5:30pm

3 - 27 June 2026Despard Gallery is excited to present Night Citru...

27/05/2026

F I N A L D A Y S to view our current exhibition and fourth iteration of our special Collectors’ Series. The exhibition features an array of iconic artworks from important mid-career and established artists and a selection of private sales. It also presents a special invited contribution by leading contemporary artist Susan Norrie, recognised internationally for both her moving image and painted works and representing Australia at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007.
Significant inclusion include works by celebrated artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Bern Emmerichs, Anne Hall, Stephen Lees & Geoff Dyer. Noteworthy indigenous artworks included pieces by Makinti Napanangka, Ningura Napurrula, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula and George Hairbrush Tjungurrayi, as well as a rare carved shield by Reggie Jackson Tjapaltjarri.
Do make sure you drop by to view some extraordinary artworks on display or view in full online now, including a comprehensive exhibition flipbook catalogue with written insights into the artists and their work.
Exhibition concludes this Saturday 30 May.
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13/05/2026

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Despard Gallery is very proud to announce that early career Tasmanian artists George Kennedy and Harrison Bowe have both been selected as finalists in this year’s Hadley’s Art Prize. This is Kennedy’s first time being selected as a finalist and Bowe’s fourth, being selected, winning the people choice award in 2025. Despard Gallery would like to congratulate Kennedy and Bowe, who are two of only five Tasmanian artists that have been selected for this year’s prize, signifying the recognition their unique contributions to the genre of contemporary landscape painting.
The Hadley’s Art Prize Hobart is one of the richest landscape art prizes in Australia, with an acquisitive prize of $100,000. The annual prize is awarded to a contemporary artist for the best portrayal of the Australian landscape. The winner will be announced at the opening of the exhibition finalists’ works hosted by the Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart, on Friday 31 July. Finalists’ exhibition runs from 1 – 23 August 2026.
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08/05/2026

O P E N I N G E V E N T Please join us for an Opening Event Tonight and help celebrate our latest exhibition and some extraordinary artworks on display. Marking the fourth in our Collectors’ Exhibition Series, this year we are featuring an array of iconic artworks from important mid-career and established artists and invited private sales.
Included in this year’s exhibition are significant works from celebrated artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Bern Emmerichs, Anne Hall, Stephen Lees & Geoff Dyer. Noteworthy indigenous artworks included pieces by Makinti Napanangka, Ningura Napurrula, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula and George Hairbrush Tjungurrayi, as well as a rare carved shield by Reggie Jackson Tjapaltjarri. We are also presenting new works by critically acclaimed artist Susan Norrie, recognised internationally for both her moving image and painted works and representing Australia at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007.
Please join us tonight (Friday 8 May from 5:30pm) to view the exhibition and help celebrate one of our significant Collector’s Exhibition to date.
View the exhibition in full via our website now.
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01/05/2026

U P C O M I N G Despard Gallery is proud to present our upcoming Collectors’ Exhibition featuring important mid-career and established Australian artists through an array of significant artworks and invited private sales.
6 – 30 May
Marking the fourth iteration of the series, this year’s collection includes important pieces from celebrated artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Bern Emmerichs, Anne Hall, Stephen Lees & Geoff Dyer, as well as Tasmanian artists Sebastian Galloway and Lucien Rickard from 2012. Noteworthy indigenous artworks included pieces by Makinti Napanangka, Ningura Napurrula, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula and George Hairbrush Tjungurrayi, as well as a rare carved shield by Reggie Jackson Tjapaltjarri. We are also excited to showcase new works by critically acclaimed artist Susan Norrie, recognised internationally for both her moving image and painted works and representing Australia at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007.
Register your interest via our website to receive a preview catalogue.
Opening Event Friday 8 May 5:30 pm
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24/04/2026

L A S T W E E K Make sure you drop by the gallery and not to miss the amazing solo exhibi-tion by emerging Tasmanian artist Rosanagh May!
Underpinning May’s first major exhibition is a celebration of the ballads and storytelling of coun-try and western. May’s work gives a nod to how country music has evolved, from closed tradition to being inclusive and a new form of expression. With multipiece spires, a giant charm bracelet, lucky horseshoes and hanging bridle ornaments (complete with snaffle bits), the exhibition demonstrates a similar evolution within ceramics. A medi-um that remains grounded in the modesty of craft, yet reframed and modelled into a contemporary language with renewed relevance.
Make sure you drop by the gallery to see this exhibition person or view in full inline now, in-cluding a comprehensive exhibition flipbook catalogue with exhibition text and insights by Rosanagh about the songs that have inspired each work.
Please note gallery hours for Saturday 25 April (ANZAC day) 12noon – 4 pm
Exhibition continues through til Saturday 2 May.
[Artwork: Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other 2026 white mid fire clay, underglaze & glaze 32 x 27.5 x 15 cm]
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13/04/2026

T H A N K Y O U Despard would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came by the gallery for our special opening event last Friday and help celebrate the official opening of Tasmanian artist Rosanagh May’s inaugural solo exhibition. It was a packed event with many clients, friends and family who turned out to enjoy the exhibition as well as congratulate Rosanagh on a very important creative milestone. There was plenty of excitement and admiration for Rosanagh’s new series of ceramic vessels and sculptures, relishing in the happiness of the country themes as well as a round of special drinks provided by the artist!
We would like to extend big congratulations to Rosanagh for all their hard work bring together such a strong exhibition and look forward to sharing the work with visitors over the course of the exhibition. We would also like to thank artist Helen Wright for opening the exhibition with some lovely words about Rosanagh, as well as Hillary Burden who was on hand to talk about the special Limius collaborative pieces, which includes a custom wearable scent.
Exhibition continues through to Saturday 2 May, with the exhibition available to view in full via our website now, including a special digital publication and gallery views.

10/04/2026

O P E N I N G T O N I G H T Despard Gallery is pleased to invite you to a special Opening Event Tonight (Friday 10 April) to help celebrate the inaugural solo exhibition by emerging Tasmanian artist Rosanagh May.
Please join us from 5:30pm to congratulate Rosanagh on a dynamic new collection of work and a major creative milestone.
‘Good Luck, Babe, owes a lot to the writers and performers who make country and western music feel both monumental and deeply personal. Each work is about devotion: to material, to song, to the act of listening. Clay remembers every touch. Songs remember every ache. By bringing them together, I have created objects that are a little bit romantic, a little bit melancholic, and entirely comfortable being both heartfelt and slightly tongue-in-cheek—much like the best country songs themselves.’ - Rosanagh May
Now available to view in full online via our website. Exhibition concludes Saturday 2 May.

09/04/2026

I N S T A L L complete! After a very busy few days, we very excited to open the doors and share our latest exhibition 'Good Luck, Babe’ by emerging Tasmanian artist Rosanagh May.
In her inaugural solo exhibition, May presents a new suite of her distinctive black and white ceramic sculptures that celebrates the ballads and storytelling of country and western. May’s work reflects the same values that country music offers, including hard work, camaraderie, re-silience, yet also individualism and freedom. Overall, the exhibition gives a nod to how country music has evolved, from closed tradition to being inclusive and a new form of expression.
Please drop by to view in person or enjoy in full online. There is also an extensive digital ex-hibition catalogue where you can read all about the works and the song lyrics that have in-spired them.
Please join us, along with the artist for a special opening event this Friday 10 April from 5:30 pm. To be opened by contemporary artist Helen Wright.
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